The Washington critic., 1887-02-09
COLORED CITIZENS AT WAR.
A Tumultuous Meeting ut the Armory
of the Capital city Guard.

of the Capital city Guard.
The meeting of the colored citizens
called TO indorsc the action of the Sen
ate in rejecting j. c. Mathews as Re-
corder Of Deeds for the District met
pursuant TO call last night at the Capt.
tai City Guard armory, on Il street.
between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets
northwest, and most disgraceful and
exciting scene followed throughout its
session. The meeting was called to
order by Marcellus West, the slgner of
the "call, " who, seeing that the major.
ity of those present were opposed to
iudorslng the action of the Senate, dc.
termined, as he said, upon the instruc.
tion of his committee, TO put Mr.. Perry
Carson In the chair, and this act was
the signal for cries Of "Why not elect
chairman from this meetingY' "Let
us have n man chosen by the citizens
present and not one pushed into author.
ity by the committee" But Mr.. Car.
son took the chair and proceeded to
state the object of the meeting, which
he said was to indorsc the action of the
Republican party as represented by the
Senate of the United States.
Mr.. W. c. Chase then arose and at.
tempted TO offer some resolutions, but
Mr.. Carson would not recognize him
until the cries of "Let him read theml"
became so deafening that nothing else
could be done. Chase then proceeded
with the reading, when Carson, West,
Cox. Archy Lewis and others arose aud
attacked him In threatening manner,
and then "liar' and other vile epithets
passed until Chase md Carson Clinched
and the police bad to be called In to
prevent bloodshed. Order was re-
stored and Chase then read the follow.
ing resolutions:
Uh1fas II Is clsinci that the principle of
here rule should obtain In the matter Of the
APPOINTMENT 10 the onlrr of Recorder Of
Deeds for this District, when that principle
has not hcon considered In the confirmation
u numerous ana ointmcnls to po5itioAs In the
lfieaas he only true principle of home
fUiC for 'lu District Of Columbia consists In
all the rcorle--whitc and blank, rich and
poor having voice aud vote In selecting their
public officers; therefore, be II
R,sr'U.i, That Hon. j j. InrGlls, chairman
of the Senate District Committee, be, and he
is hereby resp clfully requested to prepare
and present to the Senate of the United States
q bin declaring all local Offices in the District
of Columbia elective thereby restoring the
IlEht Of suffrage to uur dislranchi3ed, unprO.
toCtCd aud per,ccuted Ienplo
R,to'rti, That Wc udursc the sentiments
set forth In the addres. presented TO the
President by the pastors Of our churches, pro
testing against unjust discrimination on ac'
count Of color, and object to the persecution
OF any and NIL m,n on account Of their re-
ligious or political faith.
During the debate upon the adoption
of the resolutions many violent expires.
sions were used, and w. G. Cox and
Arthur 81. A. Smith had to be separated
by the police. The question was finally
put and the Chase resolutions adopted
by very decided majority, and much
to the chagrin of the Carson element,
who had been clearly outwitted by II.
Price Williams, w. II. Barker, Jacob
Straiher and st. A. Smith. Nothing
daunled, however, Mr. Carson appoint.
ed a committee on resolutions, which
reported set the very antithesis of
those already adopted, and over these
the contending factions wrangled with
each each other without any Legitimate
decision until the meeting closed, and
the police cleared the hall.